Terrell, Griffith and Phifer among NFL cap cuts

Associated Press

Wide receiver David Terrell, the eighth pick in the 2001 draft, was released by the Chicago Bears as NFL teams prepared for the start of free agency Wednesday by paring veterans to get under the salary cap.

Terrell was joined on the temporary unemployment line Monday by Cleveland safety Robert Griffith, 36-year-old linebacker Roman Phifer of New England, and three Atlanta defensive players who have been starters much of their careers. Carolina cut 39-year-old backup quarterback Rodney Peete.

The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, re-signed center Dominic Raiola, one of its young building blocks on the line.

Terrell became expendable when the Bears signed veteran Muhsin Muhammad, released last week by the Panthers after an All-Pro season.

Terrell started 15 games last season and led the Bears with a career-high 699 receiving yards on 42 receptions with one touchdown. Over four years with the team, he totaled 128 receptions, 1,602 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

''It is unfortunate things didn't turnout better for David in Chicago,'' general manager Jerry Angelo said. ''The bottom line was we needed an upgrade at the receiver position. We were able to add a Pro Bowl wideout this past weekend, and those types of moves can affect others on the team.''

The Atlanta cut defensive linemen Travis Hall and Ed Jasper and safety Cory Hall. The moves cuts $5 million from the team's salary cap.

Travis Hall started 13 or more games six times in 10 seasons with Atlanta and Jasper started 12 games last season and both of the Falcons' playoff games. Cory Hall started 23 of the 25 games he spent with Atlanta after being signed two years ago as a free agent from Cincinnati.

Phifer played with the Rams in Los Angeles and St. Louis for eight seasons after being a second-round pick in the 1991 draft. He signed with the New York Jets before joining the Patriots in 2001. He has played in 211 games during his career.

Griffith, 34, led the Browns in tackles last season with 157. In three seasons after signing with Cleveland from Minnesota, he started 44 games and had 408 tackles, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one sack.

Peete, a 16-year veteran, could be re-signed by Carolina, which also cut guard Doug Brzezinski in saving $2.5 million in cap space.